Tobacco humidor



Feb. 8, 1966 L. A. DEAL 3,233,951

TOBACCO HUMIDOR Filed March 22, 1963 INVENTOR. LEWIS A. DEAL.

ATTOP/VEKS United States Patent M 3,233,951 TOBACCO HUMIDQR Lewis A. Deal, 2108 E. North t., Greeuville, S.C. Filed Mar. 22, 18 63, Ser. No. 267,143 3 Claims. (Cl. SIM-31.2)

the tobacco in a properly moistened condition even when stored over a relatively long period of time, but which is constructed such that the possibility of over-moistening and thus spoiling the tobacco is considerably diminished if not altogether obviated.

Related and more specific objects are the provision of a humidor of the type described in which the moistening vapor is more uniformly introduced into contact with the tobacco, and at an initial rate greater than its subsequent rate of introduction, and wherein there is no possibility of over-moistening and thus spoiling the tobacco by the inadvertent introduction of an excess of liquid into the humidor.

Another object is the provision of a humidor of the type described which, although readily capable of accommodating tobacco in the form of cigarettes or cigars, is particularly suitable for imparting moisture to pipe to bacco in loose form, and which humidor may also admirably serve as a pipe stand or rack.

Still other objects and advantages will in part be evident and in part pointed out hereinafter in the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a humidor embodying the present invention, with the top cap or closure removed;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 22 of FIGURE 1, and showing the humidor with the top cap or closure in place;

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line 33 of FIGURE 2 through the main body portion of the humidor, with the base thereof being shown in plan; and

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main body portion and base of the humidor, with the top cap or closure not being shown.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the humidor identified in its entirety in FIGURES 1 and 2 by the numeral 18 consists generally of a main body portion 12 mounted upon a base portion 14 and provided with a closure or top cap 16. Main body portion 12, base 14 and cap 16 may be formed of any desired material, such as wood or plastic, possessing the requisite sturdiness while also presenting a pleasing appearance.

Main body portion 12 of humidor 10 consists basically of a hollow cylinder 18 having a bottom wall 28 and a pair of liquid reservoirs 22, 22 formed integral with and projecting outwardly from diametrically opposed locations upon the exterior of its curved side wall 24. The interior surfaces of side 24 and bottom of cylinder 18 define a container 26 for the storage of tobacco, which is introduced therein and removed therefrom through the then open, upper end of cylinder 18 shown in FIGURE 1. At all other times, container 26 and the tobacco therein are sealed from the ambient atmosphere by top 16 of 3,233,951 Patented Feb. 8, 1966 humidor 10, which is removably secured to the upper end of cylinder 18 as by screw threads 28 (see FIGURE 2) and which preferably is provided with a suitable gasket 30. Reservoir 22 is of a generally wedge-shaped, downwardly-tapered construction, as shown in FIGURE 2, and includes an upper wall 32 extending outwardly and downwardly from the exterior of side 24 of cylinder 18 to a terminal edge 34, an outer wall 36 extending inwardly and downwardly from terminal edge 34 to side 24 of cylinder 18 at a point thereon adjacent bottom 20 thereof, and side walls 38, 40. The inner wall of reservoir 22 consists of that portion of side 24 of cylinder 18 enclosed by walls 32, 36, 38 and 40, and is provided at its uppermost point with an inwardly extending vapor outlet or recess 42. A filling opening 44 extends through upper wall 32 of reservoir 22, and is provided with a removable closure such as the stopper 46 shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. For reasons subsequently discussed, it is important that filling opening 44 be located, as shown in FIGURE 2, below the elevation of vapor outlet or recess 42 of reservoir 22.

Reservoir 22' is identical to reservoir 22, and its components are identified in the drawings by the same numerals employed for the components of reservoir 22, but with the addition of a prime designation.

A vertical cavity 48 extends through side 24 of cylinder 18 from a point of communication with recess 42 of reservoir 22 and completely through bottom 20 of the cylinder. An identical cavity 48' communicating with recess 42' is provided on the opposite side of cylinder 18, and a cross-shaped groove 50 provided in the exterior of bottom wall 20 of cylinder 18 (see FIGURE 4) interconnects the cavities 48, 48. A first series of small horizontal bores or vapor passageways 52 extend through the interior of side 24 of cylinder 18 between cavity 48 and container 26, while an identical series of passageways 52 establish similar communication between container 26 and the opposite cavity 48'. A third series of vapor passageways 54 extend vertically through bottom 20 of cylinder 18 so as to establish communication between container 26 and the cross-shaped groove 50 provided in the exterior of bottom 20.

Base portion 14 of humidor 10 is provided with a centrally located, circular recess 56 having a plurality of bayonet-type slots 58 along its circumference. Recess 56 closely receives and supports the lower end of cylinder 18 of main body 12, which is provided with a plurality of radially-extending lugs 60 engageable with bayonet slots 58. When main body portion 12 and base portion 14 of humidor 10 are properly secured together, as shown in FIGURE 1, indentations 62 provided along one edge of the latter are in vertical alinernent with a plurality of bores 64 provided through a flange 66 extending horizontally from the exterior of side 24 of cylinder 18 between reservoirs 22, 22', such that a pipe (not shown) can be supported by placing its bowl upon any desired indentation 62 and passing its stem through the corresponding bore 64. By providing a similar flange 66', bores 64', and indentations 62' on the opposite side of humidor 10, as showvn, any number of pipes up to eight may be thus conveniently positioned.

In utilizing humidor 10, container 26 thereof is filled with a quantity of tobacco to which it is desired to impart moisture, and cap 16 is screwed in place to seal this tobacco-the upper level of which is indicated by phantom lines in FIGURE 2from the ambient atmosphere. A vaporable liquid is then introduced into reservoirs 22, 22 through filling openings 44, 44' until the liquid level in each of these reservoirs reaches a height approximately level with edges 34, 34', as indicated by phantom lines in FIGURE 2, after which stoppers 46, 46' are reinserted in their respective filling openings. While the liquid 7 introduced into reservoir-s 22, 22' may be plain water, other suitable liquids can be employed in lieu thereof "or in conjunction therewith if it is also desired to impart distinctivefiavor or aroma to the tobacco, as well as moisture. As the liquid within reservoirs 22, 22 evaporates,

the vapor passes through vapor outlets or recesses 42,42 2 to cavities 48, 48' and groove 50. From cavities 48,48

and groove 50,1116-97211301 is then introduced through passageways v52, 52 and 54 into opposite sides and the bot tom of the mass of tobacco within container 26,'thus' imparting the desired moisture to the same.

Moistening of the tobacco within container 26 'continues in the foregoing manner so long as any liquid remains in either reservoir 22 or 22'. However,after the dried tobacco originally placed within container 26 has absorbed a quantity of the vapor emitted fromthe liquid within reservoirs 22, 22, and the liquid level within these reservoirs has dropped as a con-sequence thereof, additional moisture is imparted to the tobacco at areduced rate. area of reservoirs 2'2, 22 occasioned by their wedgeshaped configurations causes the liquid levels in-these 205 The downwardly decreasing'cross-sectional reservoirs, to become smaller in area as they dropin height, with a resulting decrease in the rate of evaporation of the liquid therefrom. This is deemed'highly'desirable inasmuch as it tends to prevent the tobacco. from becoming overly moist, and: therefore, spoiled, while still, providing suflicient additional moisture to replace that t which escapes from container 26 as tobacco is being removed from the container by a user of humidor 10'.

Also, tending to discourage spoilage of the tobacco by over-moistening are the widely spaced locations of vapor passageways '2, 52' and 54, which permit moistening ofthe entire mass of tobaccowithin container 26. without saturation of any one. portion thereof.

The possibility of the tobacco within container 26 being over-moistened and therefore spoiled by; direct con tact with the liquid introducedinto reservoirs 22, 22,:

during filling is also obviated, by reason of the filling openings. 44, 44. of these reservoirs being disposed, as heretofore noted, at a lower elevation, than vapor outlets or recesses. 42, 42' thereof. Thus, it will be noted that if an excess of liquidis inadvertently introducded into, say, reservoir 22 durin'gfilling thereof, the liquid still would notpass through vaporwoutlet or recess 42 since prior to that time it would necessarily have; to overflow back through filling opening 44. r

If the tobacco originally placedv within container '26 is of a lesser quantity or: in a more moist conditionthan. previously assumed herein, then it may be preferable to introduce liquid into only one ofv the reservoirs 22, 22', allowing theothe-r reservoir toremain empty and inactive.

If this is done, the function of the active reservoir-andof humidor =in general-is in noway impaired oridifferent. from that-previously described, except that:+as

would bedesired under these circumstances-less moistureis imparted to the tobacco.

Humidor 1e will, of course, function indefinitely "so longas container 2.6;andreservoirs22', 22 are-replenishedwithtobacco andzliquid'as needed-, which isonly'at in frequent" occasions due to their relatively large capacities. Afterprolonged. usage; however, itis desirable to clean those passageways 54- directly beneath.- thetobaeco; within container 26 so as to insure, that, they remain capa blev of passingvapor. Thismay quickly. and'easily be;ac-

complishedi merely by removing base 14" of the humidor from main body. portion 12' thereof, and? passing. a pipecleaner or other suitable implement through. the then readily accessible passageways 54,.

In the drawings and specification there has been set.

forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, althoughspecific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. A tobacco humidor comprising a generally cylindrical container adapted to receive tobacco and having a plurality of vapor passageways extending through opposite sides andthe bottomrthereof and communicating with the interior of the container, a pair of independent reservoirs adjacent said container each having a filling.

opening through which a vapor'able liquid is adapted to be introduced therein and each having a vapor outlet communicating with said passageways for passing vapor emitted from the. liquid. within said reservoirs to the tobacco within said container, and said filling opening of 3 each of said reservoirs being at a lower elevation than said vapor outlet thereof for preventing raising of the liquidlevelswithin said reservoirs above said vapor out- 1 lets by the inadvertent'introduction of an excess of liquid during filling.

2. A tobacco humidor as in clair'nl,

sectional area below said filling opening thereof.

3. A tobacco humidor and pipe rack comprising a r base having upon the upper surface thereof a circular recess providedalong .its circumference with'a plurality of bayonet-type slots, a generally cylindrical hollow mem' ber detachably mounted uponand' extending upwardly from said base and having a bottom wall' and a curved sidewall, said. bottom wall of said cylindrical member being received within said recess of said base and having I a plurality of radially-extending lugs received within said bayonet-type slots, thehollow interior of said cylindrical j member being adapt-ed to receive tobacco and said walls of said cylindrical member having a plurality .of vapor passageways therein communicating with the interior of said cylindricalmember, a pair of' reservoirs formed integral with the exterior of said curve-d side wall of said cylindrical member, said reservoirs each having a filling opening through which a vaporable liquid is adapted to be introduced therein and each having a vapor outlet communicating with said passageways within said walls of said cylindrical member for passing vapor emitted i from the liquid within said reservoirs to the tobacco within; the interiorof said cylindrical member, said filling, openings of said reservoirs being at a lower; elevation than said vapor outlets: thereof and said reservoirs each having a downwardly decreasing cross-sectional area belowsaid filling openings, and said' cylindrical member being detachable and removable from said base when 1 desired to facilitate .cleaningof said vapor: passageways in said bottom wall of said cylindrical member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS;

FRANK B SHERRK Primary Examiner,

wherein each of said reservoirs has a downwardly decreasing cross 

1. A TOBACCO HUMIDOR COMPRISING A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE TOBACCO AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF VAPOR PASSAGEWAYS EXTENDING THROUGH OPPOSITE SIDES AND THE BOTTOM THEREOF AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE CONTAINER, A PAIR OF INDEPENDENT RESERVOIRS ADJACENT SAID CONTAINER EACH HAVING A FILLING OPENING THROUGH WHICH A VAPORABLE LIQUID IS ADAPTED TO BE INTRODUCED THEREIN AND EACH HAVING A VAPOR OUTLET COMMUNICATING WITH SAID PASSAGEWAYS FOR PASSING VAPOR EMITTED FROM THE LIQUID WITHIN SAID RESERVOIRS TO THE TOBACCO WITHIN SAID CONTAINER, AND SAID FILLING OPENING OF EACH OF SAID RESERVOIRS BEING AT A LOWER ELEVATION THAN SAID VAPOR OUTLET THEREOF FOR PREVENTING RAISING OF THE LIQUID LEVELS WITHIN SAID RESERVOIRS ABOVE SAID VAPOR OUTLETS BY THE INADVERTENT INTRODUCTION OF AN EXCESS OF LIQUID DURING FILLING. 